Fence fittings

ABSTRACT

Fence fittings for securing together various fence supporting members such as posts and rails formed of pipe and for attaching hinges and latches to gates, the fittings being formed in two identical or counterparts having end portions shaped to claspingly fit the fence members and formed with interfitting ends positioned for interlocking engagement when assembled to hold the parts in registration and prevent the end portion from being separated.

United States Patent Schindler et al.

FENCE FITTINGS Inventors: Leon A. Schindler; Raymond G.

Schindler, both of R0. Box 19128, Houston, Tex. 77024 Filed: Sept. 26, 1972 Appl. No.: 292,431

Related U.S. Application Data Continuation of Ser. No. 95.298, Dec. 4, 1970, abandoned.

U.S.Cl. ..593 20s,256/65 1m. cl...i';.1'j Fl6b 7/04 Field of Search 256/65-70, 256/21, 22, 24, 59; 287/54 C, 52.03, 110

References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 4/1886 Weber 256/68 9/1915 C i gtenkunst. 7/1916 Louden...., 256/65 UX 3/1931 Paque 256/68 X 1 June 28, 1974 1,822,389 9/1931 Blakely 287/1 10 X 2,267,323 12/1941 Chilcott et a1 ..287/54 C 2,718,266 9/1955 Berry et 211.... 287/52.03 X 2,794,660 6/1957 DAzzo 287/54 C 2,828,824 4/1958 Comstock 2137/5203 3,023,036 2/1962 Taylor 287/52.03 3,486,739 12/1969 Nelson et a1 256/65 Primary ExaminerDennis L. Taylor Attorney, Agent, or Firm-C. Donald Gunn [5 7] ABSTRACT 12 Claims, 16 Drawing Figures PAIENIEBJIINZBW 3820.909

SHEET 1 OF 3 Raymond G. Schindler Leon A. Schindler INVENTORS MAW ' ATTORNEY mmcnmem slamos SHEU20F3 FIG] { V 8 ao r I, 36 HHIII Raymond G. Schindler Leon ASchind/er IN VE N TORS ATTORNEY PATENTEDJUNZB 91 7 3320.909

SHEEI 3 0F 3 Raymond G. Schindler IN VENTORS 1/ BY FIG. 15 M5 ATTORNEY Leon A. Schindler 1 FENCE Nos BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION In the construction of fences, and more especially metal fences of the chain link, or similar type, it is customary to make use of fence posts which are connected together by horizontal rails, the posts and rails being formed of iron pipe. The posts and rails are ordinarily connected by T. fittings which are threaded to the sections of pipe, or otherwise secured thereto in erecting the fence. Various types of fittings are rised for this purpose, such as T. fittings which are mounted on the upper ends of the posts and through which the top rail is inserted to support the rail on the posts.

At some locations of the fence, such as where a gate is to be provided, double posts are employed, the pipes being arranged in vertical, parallel relation, slightly spaced apart and connected by short fittings through which the pipes are extended.

At times the fence posts and rails are of rectangular or other polygonal shape in cross-section, for purposes of ornamentation, or the like, in which case fittings having suitably shaped openings are provided to conform to the shape of the fence members which are to be connected together.

Fittings of the kind mentioned are often formed in counterparts having end portions shaped to fit about the posts and rails in clasping or clamping relation thereto when assembled and which parts are secured together by bolts or other fastenings.

Fittings for the attachment of gate hinges and latches are also frequently formed with parts which may be assembled in clasping or clamping relationship to the posts and gate members and seccured together by bolting or the like.

Fence fittings of this type have the disadvantage that they sometimes become loosened or disconnected and the parts are easily pried apart or damaged, allowing the fence to sag or become broken. Moreover, when such fittings are of the kind having parts to be bolted together it is as times difficult to maintain them in position to tighten the bolts in erecting the fence.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The fence fitting of the present invention, whether it be for the purpose of connecting fence rails to posts,

coupling together double post members at the location of gates or the like, attaching gate hinges or latches to posts or gates, or for other similar purposes, comprises a pair of fitting elements having portions shaped to be positioned in generally surrounding, clasping or clamping relation to a fence or gate member in the form of a pipe, such fitting elements also having end portions shaped for interlocking engagement to hold the elements in such clasping or clamping relation.

The invention has for an important object the provision of a fence fitting which may be assembled on a fence post or other fence member and having counterpart elements formed with end portions shaped for interlocking engagement when assembled, and which may be bolted together to hold the counterparts in clasping engagement with the fence member.

FIG. 1 is a side elevational view illustrating a fence fitting in accordance with the invention showing the same as used in connecting together horizontal and vertical fence supporting members;

FIG. 2 is a bottom view of the fitting as illustrated in FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is an end elevational view of the fence fitting of FIG. I looking at the right hand end of FIG. 1;

FIG. 4 is a view similar to that of FIG. 1 illustrating a modified form of fence fitting used for connecting together horizontal and vertical fence supporting members;

FIG. 5 is a bottom view of the fitting illustrated in FIG. 4;

FIG. 6 is an end elevational view looking at the right hand end of the fitting illustrated in FIG. 4;

FIG. 7 is a side elevational view of a gate hinge embodying a somewhat different form of fence fitting in accordance with the invention;

FIG. 8 is a bottom view of the form of the invention illustrated in FIG. 7;

FIG 9 is an end view looking at the right hand end of the fitting as illustrated in FIG. 7;

FIG. 10 is a side elevational view of a gate latch device embodying a different form of the fence fitting of the invention;

FIG. 11 is a bottom view of the device illustrated in FIG. 10;

FIG. 12 is an end view of the fence fitting illustrated in FIG. 11 looking at the right hand end of that figure;

FIG. 13 is a perspective view illustrating a further modification of the fence fitting of the fence fitting of the invention showing the same as used for the connecting together of parallel disposed fence supporting members;

FIG. 14 is a side elevational view of the fitting of the invention illustrated in FIG. 13;

FIG. 15 is a bottom view of the fitting illustrated in FIG. 14; and

FIG. 16 is an end view of the fitting of FIG. 14 looking at the right hand end of that figure.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF PARTICULAR EMBODIMENTS OF THE INVENTION The fence fitting of the invention as illustrated in FIGS. 1, 2 and 3, is of the kind used for connecting together fence support members formed of iron pipe, such as a fence post 10 and a horizontal fence member or rail 12, the fitting being generally designated 14.

The fitting 14 is of the T-fitting type, formed in two identical parts 16 and 18, each having a shank or elongated portion 20 of semi-circular shape in cross-section and a head forming portion 22, also of generally semicircular cross-sectional shape. At head end each of the parts is cut away to form a tongue 24 and a tongue receiving notch 26 at one side of the tongue, the tongue of one part being positioned for engagement with the other part in the notch thereof when the parts are assembled, as seen in FIG. 3, so that the. tongues are interlockedto hold the head ends of the parts together in clasping engagement with the post 10 with the shank portions20 disposed to form a generally tubular shank into which the end portion of the rail 12 is extended.

Suitable means, such as the bolt 28 is extended through perforations in the shank portions 20 and through the rail to secure the parts in assembled relation and connect the post securely to the rail.

A somewhat modified form of the fitting of the invention is illustrated in FIGS. 4, 5 and 6, which is similar to the fitting of FIGS. 1, 2 and 3, but in which the parts are shaped to be assembled about fence members of square shape in cross-section.

In other respects the fitting of FIGS. 4, 5 and 6 is similar to that of FIGS. 1, 2 and 3, and is assembled and secured in the same manner.

A somewhat different form of the invention is illustrated in FIGS. 7, 8 and 9, in which the fitting takes the form of a hinge member for hingedly mounting a gate on a gate post.

In this form of the invention the fitting is shown in its application to a gate post 30 having a pintle 32 attached thereto in a usual manner, the pintle having an upwardly extending hinge member portion 34 located in parallel, spaced relation to the gate post.

The gate has a vertical end member 36 which is hingedly connected to the pintle by the hinge fitting generally designated 38. The hinge fitting is formed in two identical parts 16" and 18" having shank portions 20" shaped to form a pintle receiving opening between the parts when the same are assembled. The parts are shaped to be fittedabout the gate member 36 in clasping engagement therewith and are formed with tongue portions 24" and notches 26" positioned for interlocking engagement when the parts are assembled on the gate. The parts are perforated for the insertion of a bolt 28" by which the parts are held in assembled relation on the gate.

With the hinge fitting parts assembled on the gate and secured together, it will be apparent that the gate may be hung on the post for horizontal swinging movement by inserting the pintle portion 34 through the opening between the shank portions of the parts.

A further modification of the invention as applied to the mounting of a gate latch, is illustrated in FIGS. 10, 11 and 12, wherein a gate latch 40 of a usual type, of generally U-shape is hingedly connected to a gate for vertical swinging movement into and out of latching engagement with a gate post. In this form of the invention the latch is hingedly connected to a latch fitting generally designated 48 formed in two counter-parts 50 each shaped to fit a gate end member and formed with a tongue portion 54 shaped for interengagement with the tongue portion of its counterpart when the parts are assembled on the gate member. The counterparts 50 have shank portions 56 which are perforated to receive a bolt 58 extended therethrough, which bolt also extends through a perforation in the latch 40 to hingedly secure the latch to the gate for vertical swinging movement.

The counterparts 50 may be notched as seen at 60 to receive a projection 62 on the latch positioned for engagement in the notches to hold the latch against downward movement from its horizontal latching position, but which will allow the latch to swing upwardly to an unlatching position.

A still further modification of the invention is illustrated inFlGS. 13, 14, 15 and 16 wherein the invention is shown in its application for the securing together of the members of a double fence post, such as may be used at the location of a gate or the like.

In this form of the invention two posts 64 and 66 are connected together in parallel, spaced apart relation by fittings, such as that generally designated 68 made up of two identical parts 70 and 72, each formed at its opposite ends with clasping or clamping portions 74 and 76 shaped to fit around the posts and having end portions 78 shaped for overlapping, interengagement when the parts are assembled on the posts. Between the end portions 74 and 76 the parts are formed with depressed intermediate portions 80 positioned for engagement when the end portions 74 and 76 are in clamping engagement with the posts and which are perforated for the reception of a bolt 82 by which the parts are secured together inassembled relation.

The inte rfitting end portions 78 may be formed with curved or rebent ends 84 whose free end edges are engagable with the outer face of the end portion 74 and 76 of the opposite part to hold the parts in registration when assembled.

This form of the fitting possesses the advantage that the parts are identical and it is merely necessary to reverse one part end for end relative to the other part to assemble the parts.

It will thus be seen that the invention provides fence fittings for use in connecting together various parts of a fence structure, the parts having portions shaped to claspingly fit the members to be connected and which are formed with interlocking portions for holding the parts against separation or loosening when assembled. The fittings of the invention may also be readily disassembled and reused and are easily held in place while the parts are being secured together. I

Having thus clearly shown and described the invention what is claimed as new and desired to secure by Letters Patent is:

l. A connector device for use on fences formed of tubular members comprising;

first and second similar members for locking together encircling a tubular member sufficiently to be held thereto; said members cooperating to form a connector device selectively preventing movement along the axis of such a tubular member; said similar members each including a first portion having an inner face of complementary contour to at least partly encircle such a tubular member;

said first portion extending to a co-acting edge for mating and holding engagement with the co-acting edge of the other such member;

said co-acting edges defining a projecting lug and receptacle for receiving a similar lug therein;

said lug having an inner end and outer end projecting generally parallel to the axis of the tubular member and wherein said outer end is wider than said inner end;

said receptacle having a shape for receiving sucha similar lug therein in a locking relationship; a second portion connected to said complementary portion and extending generally straight therefrom so as to be releasably positioned adjacent to a second member; and,

said second portion generally opposite said co-acting edges with respect to such a tubular member such that the present connector device joins together in at least a partially encircling relationship about such a tubular member.

2. The invention of claim 1 wherein said co-acting edges are identical;

said co-acting edges include a straight line segment parallel to the axis of such a tubular member;

6. The structure of claim 1 wherein said second and straight portions each include bolt receiving means to permit their releasable interconnection.

7. The structure of claim 6 wherein said second por tions are spaced apart by a distance less than the thickness of such a tubular member.

8. The structure of claim 1 wherein said second portions are curved to fit about a second tubular member positioned at right angles to such a first tubular memher.

9. The invention of claim 8 wherein said first and second portions are comprised of portions of right cylinders.

10. The invention of claim 1 wherein said first portions complementarily fit about a rectangular tubular member.

11. The invention of claim 1 wherein said second portions include bolt receiving means therein and further include partially encircling tabs which abut one another to capture such a second member adjacent said tabs and acjacent a bolt received in said bolt receiving means.

12. The invention of claim 1 wherein said second portion extends to a third portion, and said third portion is complementary shaped to encircle a third member having an axis parallel to such a first member. 

1. A connector device for use on fences formed of tubular members comprising: first and second similar members for locking together encircling a tubular member sufficiently to be held thereto; said members cooperating to form a connector device selectively preventing movement along the axis of such a tubular member; said similar members each including a first portion having an inner face of complementary contour to at least partly encircle such a tubular member; said first portion extending to a co-acting edge for mating and holding engagement with the co-acting edge of the other such member; said co-acting edges defining a projecting lug and receptacle for receiving a similar lug therein; said lug having an inner end and outer end projecting generally parallel to the axis of the tubular member and wherein said outer end is wider than said inner end; said receptacle having a shape for receiving such a similar lug therein in a locking relationship; a second portion connected to said complementary portion and extending generally straight therefrom so as to be releasably positioned adjacent to a second member; and, said second portion generally opposite said co-acting edges with respect to such a tubular member such that the present connector device joins together in at least a partially encircling relationship about such a tubular member.
 2. The invention of claim 1 wherein said co-acting edges are identical; said co-acting edges include a straight line segment parallel to the axis of such a tubular member; said second portions are spaced apart when assembled by a distance less than the width of such a tubular member; and, said second portions including a centrally located single bolt receiving means therein.
 3. The structure of claim 1 wherein said co-acting edges are identical.
 4. The structure of claim 1 wherein said co-acting edges terminate in a line perpendicular to the axis of such a tubular member.
 5. The structure of claim 1 wherein said receptacle engages the tab placed therein on two opposite edges.
 6. The structure of claim 1 wherein said second and straight portions each include bolt receiving means to permit their releasable interconnection.
 7. The structure of claim 6 wherein said second portions are spaced apart by a distance less than the thickness of such a tubular member.
 8. The structure of claim 1 wherein said second portions are curved to fit about a second tubular member positioned at right angles to such a first tubular member.
 9. The invention of claim 8 wherein said first and second portions are comprised of portions of right cylinders.
 10. The invention of claim 1 wherein said first portions complementarily fit about a rectangular tubular member.
 11. The invention of claim 1 wherein said second portions include bolt receiving means therein and further include partially encircling tabs which abut one another to capture such a second member adjacent said tabs and acjacent a bolt received in said bolt receiving means.
 12. The invention of claim 1 wherein said second portion extends to a third portion, and said third portion is complementary shaped to encircle a third member having an axis parallel to such a first member. 